ICMA has staying power. It started small in 1914, when eight city managers met in Springfield, Ohio, on September 12 to form the City Managers’ Association. That same year, Dayton, Ohio, became the first large city to adopt the council-manager form of government. Prior to that, the position of city manager had been officially created in Staunton, Virginia, in 1908, and Sumter, South Carolna, became the first city to adopt the council-manager form.

The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

The September PM is a special issue devoted to the history of ICMA and professional local government management. Including 18 articles and 30 authors, this written pilgrimage begins with a look at the year 1914 and moves on to include articles on 90 years of professional ethics (adopted in 1924), legendary directors, member reflections from around the world, personal journeys, and cultural changes.

The road ahead and how local governments will conduct themselves in the future is another thought-providing part of the issue. Practically all generations are represented by the contributing authors.

Enjoy their stories and reflections in the September PM.